Ermenburga (fl. Late 600s).

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Ermenburga (fl. Late 600s).

Queen of Mercia. Name variations: Eormenburga. Dau. of Queen Emma (fl. 600s); m. Merowald or Merwald, king of Mercia; sister of saints Ethered, Ethelbright, and Ermenbert; children: daughters Saint Milburg (d. 722?); Saint Mildred (d. 700?); Mildgyth or Mildgithe; son Mervin or Mervyn.

Was given "48 ploughs of land" as weregild (guilt money) by her uncle King Egbert who had had her brothers killed; devoted the land to the founding of a monastery, called Menstrey or Minstre, situated in the Isle of Thanet; sent daughter Mildred to Abbey of Chelles in France, where Mildred took the veil then returned to England as 1st abbess of her mother's newly founded monastery.

See also Women in World History.